Riverdance ferry dismantle begins off Blackpool coast

9:55pm Friday 2nd May 2008

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Contractors dismantling the Riverdance ferry have assured residents that disruption during the next three months will be kept to an absolute minimum.

The assurances have come in a letter from Blackpool council sent to residents living near the site of the stricken vessel.

Work has now begun on cutting up the vessel on the beach, and the contractors, Hancocks, the council and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) have agreed to limit transports movements to and from the site between the hours of 8am and 8pm.

Site traffic will also use a fixed route using Anchorsholme Lane West and Fleetwood Road.

Donald McDonald, the counter pollution and salvage officer for the MCA, said: "This operation will not happen quickly, but we will make sure it is done in a safe and environmentally friendly way, keeping disruption to local residents to a minimum."